Was woken up by the sound of pouring rain hitting the rooftop of my house mercilessly. First thought: There goes our plan for the island. It was 6 am and even though we planned to leave the house at 7 am, I knew everyone would still be fast asleep with this kind of weather. Felt the urge to crawl back in but had my mind set in writing letters to Callie, Izzy and Tiara, the last one before they left. It was very important to me to get it done, a sort of mental satisfaction (in my head and in my heart) so that I knew I said everything I wanted to say and gave it my all. So I texted everyone postponing wake up time and started pouring my heart out into three sheets of purple A4 paper--it reminded me of Lit essay days and I think I wrote fairly a lot. It was different from the usual times because it was unfiltered. I put pen to paper without too much initial thoughts of what I wanted to say. It was also ironic because a few weeks back, I remember sitting in front of my laptop trying to come up with a draft for the letters but failing. Ah, well, praise the Lord for inspiration that morning :]
Bev, Amber and Tiara came over for a full-fledged breakfast with the leftover food from yesterday's trip as well as my fruit-stocked house. Glad to have so much laughter and life around the dining and kitchen area that morning. I remember washing the dishes, glancing behind at that scene of all my friends chatting and laughing at each other's jokes and smiling--one of those priceless moments I wanted to freeze in time. Never in a million years did I imagine this bridge between my KL and Sabah friends to ever occur, at least not this early on. I remember telling a friend that it's like watching two separate movies (one when I am back in KL and one when I am home) merge into one and getting over the seemingly out of place characters making their way in an unfamiliar environment. The only catch was that the characters have effortlessly assimilated so well into the whole setting that I have to pinch myself that it's happening. I never would have thought that my KL friends would be laughing with my besties in MY HOUSE! The more I go through these experiences, I realise my inclination to forming photographic memories in my head; I just close my eyes or stare at a distance and just dwell on that picture in my head a while before imprinting it into my mind. Pretty weird, pretty cool perhaps but that's just me. I guess I'm just sentimental like that or maybe I just think too much.
We parked at Suria Sabah shopping mall and walked to the Filipino Market so my friends could get their share of local snacks and souvenirs. Good morning walk. What we thought would take a short while ended up taking around 2 hours! It was one of those unplanned occasions whereby you think you wouldn't be buying anything and you end up t-shirt and gift-hunting for family and friends. But it was a good day spent, in my opinion. I liked it.
By 1 pm, we made our way to Little Italy, a famous and authentic Italian restaurant which turned out to be even more worth the buck than I remembered. My friends thoroughly enjoyed it (I think) although, they were a little bit on the full side. Heh. YOLO, right? :P And I was pleasantly surprised by the old-time waiter who served my favourite Spaghetti Bolognese, saying that he remembered me and asked how my dad was doing--it amazed me yet again how much of this humble town was a part of me. I grew up with Little Italy and my dad and I followed their transition from Damai to their present place in KK town. Once, I remember ordering two rounds of spaghetti with my dad and we'd get into this giggly state of mischievous food adventures. Such good memories I wouldn't have been able to relive as tangibly if it weren't for my friends. Thanks guys :) Note to self: Come with dad before leaving.
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| Hungry Folk |
And then the dreaded ride back to my house for last-minute packing. I knew it was coming and I wasn't visibly distraught but there was this heavy feeling inside me that just wouldn't go away. Yes, I am extremely emotional and sentimental about these things, as much as I don't show it. Was compelled to get a group photo in my house before they all left. That's the least we could do. Tried to get my kakak to be in the photo but she was a bit shy. Ah, another time, I shall prevail.
And then off to the airport. Love airports but like I said before, there is something about airports that get me emotionally; my heart beats a little faster and my memories of everything that has ever occurred in an airport flood back. I think it is harder because I'm always reminded about my host family and the thought of not knowing when you'll actually see them again. Also, the memory of bidding my parents farewell before the six months in the States and then the epic reunion after the six months in the airport as well. With those thoughts in mind, it always makes me extra appreciative of the present moment, always treating goodbyes like it's the last time. But as time has progressed, I've gotten better at it, not getting too invested in things like these--future moments you have no control over--and focus on things you do have control over--how you react to situations and decide to live your day.
The adventures this week has taught me a lot about how we can react to situations we get thrust into--pouring rain, murky mud puddles, saying goodbye. It couldn't have come at a better time when I'm a month away from leaving home again. Along with many past adventures, I've realised how deeply empathetic and invested I am in my relationships with people, especially in watching and listening to them, their stories--beautiful or broken. I wouldn't consider myself as chatty or the most sociable person, but I get by and I don't think my occasional quietness or introversion is a deterrent to how much I love people. Probably one of the areas I am still not sure-footed about as I figure out how I wish to live my life. But for now, here's to living in the moment and here's also to the Guy upstairs for gracing me with such beautiful souls. (:
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| I love you. |
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